How We Got to Now

7.9
20144h

How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson is a six part documentary series that reveals the story behind the remarkable ideas that made modern life possible; the unsung heroes that brought them into the world – and the unexpected and bizarre consequences each of these innovations has triggered.

Production

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Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: HOW WE GOT TO NOW WITH STEVEN JOHNSON | Coming October 2014 | PBS

HOW WE GOT TO NOW WITH STEVEN JOHNSON | Coming October 2014 | PBS

Seasons

6 Episodes • Premiered 2014

Still image for How We Got to Now season 1 episode 1: Clean

1. Clean

Dirty water is transformed with a series of innovations - Chicago builds America's first sewer system, and Jersey City makes water safe for drinking (and bikinis). Manufacturing is transformed with the elimination of dust.

Still image for How We Got to Now season 1 episode 2: Time

2. Time

With no natural light, submarines re-invent the workday. Frustrated with hundreds of local time zones, a railroad clerk fights to standardize time. Navigation, travel, and technology advances result from unrecognized contributions to time.

Still image for How We Got to Now season 1 episode 3: Glass

3. Glass

The invention of the mirror gives rise to the Renaissamce; glass lenses reveal worlds within worlds worlds; glass is essential; for communication in the deep ocean; glass lens allows millions to watch a man walk on the moon.

Still image for How We Got to Now season 1 episode 4: Light

4. Light

The pioneers of light; Edison's light bulb; a French scientist accidentally discovers a neon light.

Still image for How We Got to Now season 1 episode 5: Cold

5. Cold

Ice delivery becomes big business, the father of frozen foods, Clarence Birdseye, and his vision for the future, and penguins who live in the desert.

Still image for How We Got to Now season 1 episode 6: Sound

6. Sound

30,000 year old traces of a desire to record sound are located in caves, how radio influenced the civil rights movement, the weapon that laid the ground work for today's mobile phones, and the role of the ultrasound in modern medicine.

Cast

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